Old Spice Athlete of the Year
Queen of the Court
by E.J. McGregor
Lindsey Yamasaki has changed her signature knee-high striped bumblebee socks, but she's still the same multitalented, compassionate person who was Old Spice Athlete of the Month in March.
Later that month she led Oregon City High School to its fifth straight state basketball title, averaging 25.2 points and 11.1 rebounds for the season. "Every year it just got better and better," she says. Yamasaki was named Oregon player of the year and MVP of the Nike/WBCA All-America game. She's also a two-time All-America and state player of the year in volleyball. And in June, she graduated with a 3.6 GPA.
Those achievements and her laudable community service record--participating in hoops clinics, meeting young girls before games and serving as grand marshal of a local antidrug parade--make Yamasaki an inspired choice as the sixth Old Spice Athlete of the Year and first female. Yamasaki easily earned the most points in voting by the Athlete of the Year Selection Team: Olympic speed skating champion Bonnie Blair, NHL Hall of Famer Mario Lemieux, baseball iron man Cal Ripken Jr., NBA All-Star David Robinson and NFL All-Pro Steve Young.
"Lindsey's talent and love of the game combine to make her a perfect team player," Young says. "I congratulate her for her efforts on the court and with the local youth." Blair seconds that sentiment, adding, "She seems to be a proud role model, which most athletes aren't comfortable doing these days."
Yamasaki outpointed Kennesaw, GA., centerfielder Corey Patterson, the co-national senior player of the year, who parlayed blazing speed and raw power into a reported $2.9 million signing bonus from the Chicago Cubs. After leading Harrison High School to a state title, Patterson was the first prep player selected in the June draft. "I was very impressed with his combination of speed and power," Lemieux says. "It looks as though the Cubs got a terrific prospect."
Finishing in a tie for third are junior tennis ace Marissa Irvin of Santa Monica, Calif., and Monticello, Minn., seven-foot pivot-man Joel Pryzbilla. Stanford freshman Irvin is the nation's top-ranked 18-and-under girls' junior and won the double title at the Riviera All-American Championships in October. "While reading about such an accomplished player and student, it was equally refreshing to hear how much enjoyment she displays during competition," Ripken says. Pryzbilla, who averaged 19.5 points, 14.2 rebounds and 7.8 blocks as a senior, was Minnesota's Mr. Basketball and won Monticello High's Distinguished Academic Achievement Award before enrolling at the University of Minnesota. "Dominant defensive players don't get the recognition the big scorers do, but to me they are more valuable," Lemieux says.
In fifth place is two-way football star T.J. Duckett of Kalamazoo, Mich., the nation's top collegiate prospect at linebacker. As a senior quarterback at Loy Norrix High, he rushed or passed for 29 touchdowns. "I like his competitiveness and drive," Robinson says. "He's obviously one of the better talents to come out of high school in some time."
The same is true of Yamasaki, 18, now a starter for Stanford. She sat out the volleyball season, but may play as a sophomore. In October Yamasaki had arthroscopic knee surgery. The 6'1" guard quickly returned to the lineup and scored a team-high 18 points in the Cardinal's 73-72 upset of No. 1 Purdue on Nov. 22.
Even before that breakout game, Stanford fans recognized her. "People say, "Hey, you're that girl from Oregon City who wore the socks," she says. They definitely remember the picture with the socks." --E.J. McGregor
THIS ARTICLE WAS PART OF THE OLD SPICE ATHLETE OF THE MONTH SPECIAL ADVERTISING FEATURE IN THE DECEMBER 21, 1998 ISSUE OF SPORTS ILLUSTRATED.
A SCANNED PICTURE OF THE ARTICLE WILL FOLLOW SHORTLY